Guardians Name Williams to Start ALDS Game 5 Against White Sox

The Cleveland Guardians will start right-hander Gavin Williams in the American League Division Series Game 5 against the Chicago White Sox, while Chicago will counter with Sean Burke in Cleveland after the teams' winner-take-all matchup was set by the tied series and bullpen usage concerns.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt announced Williams will take the mound after the 27-year-old threw 18 relief pitches in Game 4 to help secure a victory. According to ESPN, Williams previously started Game 2 and threw 98 pitches over five innings.

Vogt said the Game 4 appearance was viewed as preparation for the deciding game.

"We're hoping [Thursday] acts as a higher-intensity bullpen. So Gavin is ready to go tomorrow. Feels good today. So we will obviously see how he's doing tomorrow." said Stephen Vogt, Guardians manager.

Chicago manager Will Venable selected Burke after the right-hander appeared in Game 2, where he pitched 5⅓ innings after the White Sox used an opener. ESPN reported Burke was originally prepared to enter Game 4 if Chicago forced extra opportunities late in the game.

Venable explained the team's planning for the pitching arrangement.

"We talked a little bit about some of the exposure to different parts of the lineup that are a factor. Just kind of looking at who we have and who we're going to use tomorrow and how we can transition from one guy to the other." said Will Venable, White Sox manager.

The Guardians and White Sox entered Game 5 with both bullpens heavily used. Cleveland closer Cade Smith pitched in Games 3 and 4, despite the team holding large leads in both contests.

Vogt addressed the difficulty of managing the bullpen against Chicago's offense.

"If anybody thinks it's easy, go ahead." said Stephen Vogt, Guardians manager.

Vogt then described the reasoning behind using Smith in Game 4. Smith's availability for Game 5 remained uncertain, with the team planning to assess his condition before deciding on his workload.

"I think when you're playing a team that's got the offensive power that they do and as you're managing a bullpen, you always go to worst-case scenario in your head. ... We all put our heads together, and all signs pointed to let's put Cade in this thing and let's stop it right here." said Stephen Vogt, Guardians manager.

The White Sox also faced bullpen questions after Grant Taylor allowed four runs without recording an out in Game 4. ESPN reported Taylor had thrown 67 pitches across three ALDS appearances.

Vogt provided an update on Smith's potential availability for the deciding game.

"We're going to talk to him tomorrow and see how he feels. I don't know if it's something that we can push to a ton of pitches tomorrow." said Stephen Vogt, Guardians manager.

Venable said both teams would rely on available pitchers in the deciding contest, with the winner advancing to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series beginning Monday.

"At the end of the day, Game 5, deciding game here of a series, it's going to be all hands on deck. You kind of throw out the window, previous usage. You obviously want to be in tune with the guys and how they're feeling, but I think Stephen would say the same thing. We're going for it here." said Will Venable, White Sox manager.